Originally published December 7 2005
Obese patients become target of new healthcare practices designed to reduce costs
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust and primary care trusts in Suffolk have begun the practice of denying hip and knee replacements to overweight patients, defined as having a body mass index of 30 or above, in order to cut costs.
Overweight patients have been denied hip and knee replacement surgery on the NHS as some health authorities try to cut costs.
Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust and primary care trusts in Suffolk are taking a series of measures to save NHS money locally.
Those with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above, are classed as obese and will not be allowed surgery to replace worn out joints.
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According to the new guidelines, the surgery will only then be performed if the pain and disability interfers with the patient's daily life and ability to sleep.
Hospital consultants and GPs in East Suffolk came up with a list of 10 conditions for which there must be a threshold in order for surgery to be performed.
They include varicose veins and grommets for glue ear in children.
Dr Keeble said: "We cannot pretend that this work wasn't stimulated by the pressing financial problems of the NHS in East Suffolk.
Don't waste time and money on a procedure when a patient will continue to gain weight after the surgery.
If this policy is extended to other types of care (availability of heart surgery, diabetes drugs, etc.), it will serve as a much needed wake up call to obese people that their irresponsible behaviour will not be tolerated.
I'm a BMI of 30 and was refused a breast op but I have a large frame and a large bust which doesn't help so am not as overweight as people of the same height with a small frame and no bust.
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